Robby Andrews Turns Pro

(13-Mar) -- University of Virginia junior Robby Andrews, the reigning NCAA 800m champion, has decided to forgo his remaining collegiate
eligibility and has signed a professional management contract. Andrews,
20, said in a telephone interview last night from Charlottesville that
moving now to the pro ranks gave him the best chance of making the 2012
USA Olympic team.

"When you boil it all down, I have a goal," said Andrews, who grew up in
Manalapan, N.J. "I still have it, to make the Olympic team. I just
didn't feel my situation at the University of Virginia was going to help
in that process."

Andrews, who has a personal best of 1:44.71 and won the bronze medal at
the IAAF World Junior Championships in 2010, said that he would remain
enrolled as a student at Virginia and would be coached by the former
head coach there, Jason Vigilante, who resigned from the university last
November (Andrews had already left the Virginia team late last month).
He said that he would continue to train with USA mile record holder
Alan Webb, who is also coached by Vigilante, but the duo would continue
to use a nearby high school track because the university's facilities
were no longer available to them.

"I believed in him as a high school junior," Andrews said of Vigilante.
"He said he can make me the best I can be. In my mind, it's kind of a
no brainer to stay with him."

Ray Flynn of Flynn Sports Management of Gray, Tenn., confirmed by e-mail
that he will represent Andrews and now has the task of trying "to
convince a shoe company to invest in a 20 year-old college kid," as
Andrews put it.

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with Robby Andrews,"
Flynn wrote. "Robby is one of the most talented and exciting American
middle distance runners that I have ever seen. He has a great coach in
Jason Vigilante and I have great hopes for him."

Andrews, who studies kinesiology said that he would finish up this
semester, and planned to complete his degree at Virginia, although he
said that his original five-year schedule was likely to change.
However, he said that staying in school was important to him.

"Vig said he won't coach me unless I'm still in school," Andrews
explained. "I'm going to finish up this semester credits-wise. I don't
have a plan yet for next year, (but) education is really important to
me."

Andrews did not compete during the indoor season, and said he wasn't
sure when his outdoor campaign would begin. However, he said that he
was full of anticipation.

"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "It's such an exciting
time. I'm excited to go to Europe this summer. I'm excited to be a
sponsored."

***
Editor's Note: Below is a Video Chat With Robby Andrews via Flotrack. In it Robby is an excited 20 year old looking forward to the new future. There isn't any discussion on how seriously Andrews considered transferring, but Andrews said he wanted to turn pro because his focus is on making the Olympic team.

The one tidbit we found most interesting is in the last 30 seconds. Andrews said this, "Coach Vig and I we have been talking a lot now that I'm allowed to talk him." Not sure what Andrews meant by that exactly, unless there was some clause in Vig's exit agreement at UVa that he could not talk to current members of the team. Otherwise it would seem Andrews would be free to talk to Vig. Some lawyers can fill us in if UVa could have such an agreement with Vig.

As for a pro contract Andrews hasn't made up his mind. He did note how dominant Nike is in the sport saying, "In this latest Track and Field News they did the 1500m preview and everyone is in a Nike uniform. It's crazy what Nike has done for the sport. It would unbelievable to be able to run for someone such as Nike but I don't want to limit myself to one company." He then pointed out how Jenny Barringer won Worlds for New Balance.